Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande edge the Mariners in the first leg of their Asian Champions League round-of-16 tie.

ISN'T it amazing what no money can buy?

While they may be the footballing equivalent of Aldi beer, the Central Coast Mariners have once again proved their pound-for-pound ranking after taking it to Asian Champions League powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande.

And, sure, the Mariners eventually lost 2-1 on Wednesday night against a Chinese outfit whose budget surpasses theirs by a cool $38 million. But not before displaying the type of fight normally reserved for an episode of Jerry Springer.

"In the second half their keeper saved two goals with his backside," Mariners coach Graham Arnold said afterwards.

"If we played like that against any other side in the A-League tonight, we win."

Sadly, Guangzhou is worth more than the entire A-League combined.

Yet despite the Coasties paying their entire squad roughly a fifth of what Guangzhou midfielder Dario Conca earns in a year, they actually spent 20 minutes leading world sport's most lopsided financial battle since Rocky took on Ivan Drago.

Nick Montgomery (L) of the Mariners contests the ball against Zheng Zhi (R) of Evergrande during the AFC Asian Champions League match between the Central Coast Mariners and Guangzhou Evergrande at Bluetongue Stadium.

And it started after just seven minutes when, following a beautiful cross from Coast forward Bernie Ibini, Mitchell Duke sent one ricocheting off a Chinese defender and into the net.

(if) Boom (nf). Game on.

And it surprised because after a week where every Guangzhou yarn mentioned zeros be it the $13 million paid to coach Marcello Lippi or the $10 million annually for Conca so many assumed the Mariners scoreboard would show the same.

You know, like the duck egg was a forgone conclusion against these visitors so protective of their millionaires, Bluetongue Stadium staffers were asked to erect an extra $10,000 in fencing to keep the great unwashed from them.

But on a night when retiring defender Patrick Zwaanswijk played his Gosford farewell in front of almost 9000 fans, and midfielder Michael McGlinchey was singled out for praise by no less than Lippi, it took more than 70 minutes before the visiting Chinese fans were heard.

No mean feat when you consider the club bused 2000 of them up from Sydney in 30 chartered coaches.

Gao Lin of Evergrande kicks the ball during the AFC Asian Champions League match between the Central Coast Mariners and Guangzhou Evergrande at Bluetongue Stadium.

Yet having equalised after 28 minutes, when forward Lucas Barios went some way to earning his $9 million a year, Asia's ricjhest club took until the 76th minute before they led a club that struggles to pay its own.

And while the winner was struck by Luiz Silva, it was certainly no reflection on goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who spent his night making more saves than a frugal housewife come grocery week.

So now the Mariners head overseas for the return leg, needing to win by at least two goals to keep their ACL dream alive.

Yet still the night's biggest controversy was Guangzhou being forced to start the game with only 10 men because forward Gao Lin had and get this - a drama with his socks.

"His red socks had a piece of white tape and the referee asked him to remove them," Lippi explained afterwards.

"But I couldn't believe it when he allowed the match to start with 10 players on the field . . . I have never seen that in 40 years."

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